Read The Petition From Former National Security Officials Asking Biden To Stand Down

Foreign policy experts who have publicly supported President Joe Biden are circulating a petition among former national security officials who have worked under him, saying he should step down as the Democratic Party’s presidential candidate for the good of the country.

“With the deepest appreciation for your many decades of inspired leadership, we strongly believe that ongoing concerns surrounding your continued candidacy and the growing likelihood of an electoral college victory for Donald Trump put your national security accomplishments ― and our country and your legacy ― at an unacceptable level of risk,” reads the letter they intend to send, which HuffPost viewed a copy of on Thursday evening.

“Donald Trump’s vision, approach, and expressed intentions concerning our nation’s security are in fundamental conflict with the values and principles for which you have stood… We strongly believe that now is the time to pass the mantle of leadership and we respectfully urge you to do so,” the message continues.

The message cites Biden’s accomplishments abroad in Europe, Asia and the Americas and on international challenges like climate change.

The lead organizers of the letter are Eric Schwartz and John Shattuck, two former senior officials at the State Department, according to the distributed copy viewed by HuffPost. Shattuck was also an ambassador, and Schwartz served at the White House National Security Council.

The petition was circulated Thursday morning and by that evening had attracted “several dozen” signatures, including those of prominent former national security officials, a source familiar with the letter told HuffPost. The source said the petition will be sent to the White House midday Friday.

The development